Veteran journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has raised concerns over a shifting pattern in Nigeria's insecurity crisis, alleging that armed groups are increasingly demanding the release of their detained leaders rather than ransom payments. He made these remarks during a broadcast on TVC's Journalists' Hangout, where he reviewed recent incidents of kidnappings and violent attacks linked to armed groups operating across the country.
According to Otitoju, the development represents a dangerous escalation in the tactics of these groups, as their demands are no longer primarily financial but focused on securing the freedom of their commanders in detention. "Bandits are not asking for money, they are asking for their leaders in detention to be released," he said.
Otitoju referenced past incidents, including attacks in parts of the North-Central and North-West regions, where armed groups allegedly carried out violent operations and later issued demands tied to the release of detained members. He also recalled the attack on a passenger train in previous years, noting that attackers presented lists of their commanders in custody, demanding their release as part of negotiations.
He argued that such demands place the Nigerian government in a difficult position, as conceding to them could encourage further attacks and complicate counterterrorism operations. According to him, similar patterns have been observed in other kidnapping cases, where abductors reportedly insisted on prisoner exchanges instead of monetary ransom. Otitoju cited the case of a bandit leader identified as "Kachalla" in Zamfara State, who allegedly demanded the release of detained associates in exchange for hostages, including a retired military officer and his wife.
Otitoju warned that the trend reflects a growing boldness among armed groups and raises difficult questions about how the state responds to hostage situations and negotiations. He argued that repeated concessions in such cases could embolden criminal groups and weaken government authority over time. He maintained that Nigeria must adopt stronger and more decisive measures to address insecurity, stressing that the situation has gone beyond conventional ransom-based kidnappings.
